Tasmanian State League | round 15

LEADERS: North Launceston captain Taylor Whitford and coach Tom Couch in conversation about Devonport at Invermay Park on Sunday. Both will miss this weekend's clash at West Park against Burnie. Picture: Andrew Woodgate

Tyran Mansell

AN ankle complaint will see North Launceston coach Tom Couch sit out Sunday’s clash with bottom-placed Burnie at West Park.

Couch will join already injured captain Taylor Whitford and star half back Jay Lockhart on the sidelines, which he is “looking forward to”.

“I’ll get a jab of cortisone in the ankle and I’ll be right for next week [against Glenorchy],” Couch said on Thursday.

“It’s a good time for me to get up in the box and really watch the game unfold.

“There are about six or seven playing coaches in the competition and out of all them Thorpy (Mitch Thorp) and I have played more than anyone and it’s really hard to get a gage on things while you’re playing.

“You’re really reliant on your assistants and I’m very lucky in that regard with one of the best coaching panels in the league.”

Connor Young will make his return from a lengthy injury along with Tassie Mariner Tyran Mansell to replace Couch and Karlton Wadley for the North-West road trip.